How to Train Your Lovebirds

Lovebirds are known for being lovable and able to build lasting relationships with their partners and their owners. They do not usually talk, but they can mimic sounds like whistles and calls. Lovebirds, like most birds, are known for biting and screaming. Unhappy birds will bite and bicker to let you know they are bored and want attention. Lovebirds will also scream if something is bothering them.

Things You'll Need

Hand broom

Newspapers

Lovebird food

Vegetables

Nuts

Grains

Pasta

Pellets

Cooked eggs

Fruit

Bird toys

Chewing wood

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Take your lovebirds to the vet if they are normally well trained but have just started acting up. They may be molting, sick or depressed. Follow your vet’s instructions to get your birds feeling better again. Ill birds need to be well in order to be trained.

Clean your birds' cage regularly by sweeping out old food and placing new newspapers in the bottom of the cage. Lovebirds like large, clean cages and may be acting up if they are unhappy with their living quarters.

Feed your birds high-quality food recommended by your vet. Give them clean, fresh water daily as well as a well-balanced diet of fresh vegetables, nuts, grains, pasta, pellets and protein like cooked eggs. Treat your birds to fresh fruits once a week.

Disallow your birds from biting your jewelry, clothes or hair. This will give them the idea that you condone the biting behavior. Don’t be angry at them if they start biting your finger because they do not know any better. Instead, say “No” or “Not biting” in a firm voice when they bite. Shake the object they are biting while saying “No.” The firm voice and shaking will let the birds know that what they are doing is wrong. Continue doing this every time the birds bite.

Train your birds to stop screaming by talking to them regularly in a soft voice. Most lovebirds will scream to get attention. Talking or singing to the birds will calm them down. Say things like, “What are you up to?” and “How are you today?” in a soft voice when the birds starts to scream.

Keep bored birds busy by hiding food and toys in their cage to satisfy their natural foraging instincts. This will keep them busy and may cut down on the amount of screaming that they do. Place chewing wood in the cage to keep them preoccupied.